As Hirohito Fights Illness, Japan Keeps Vigil

By DAVID E. SANGER, Special to the New York Times

Published: September 20, 1988

TOKYO, Tuesday, Sept. 20—
Emperor Hirohito became seriously ill late Monday night, and millions of Japanese stayed up until the early hours of the morning watching television as the Imperial Palace here bustled with activity and speculation.

The Imperial Household Agency, which runs the palace and directs every public action of the royal family, gave few details about the 87-year-old Emperor's condition. But a spokesman for the agency said at a terse 3 A.M. news conference that Hirohito vomited blood late Monday evening and required a transfusion. The only other details he gave were that the Emperor's condition was stable, and that his pulse rate ranged between 90 and 100 beats per minute.

Since the Emperor underwent intestinal surgery last September, there have been widespread rumors that his health is far worse than the Imperial Household Agency has publicly acknowledged. So as word of his illness spread Monday night, television crews converged on the palace.

At news conference this morning, Iwao Miyao, the vice grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency, said the Emperor received 800 cubic centimeters of blood in a three-and-a-half-hour transfusion. He said doctors believed that the blood vomited by the Emperor came from the upper digestive organs. Mr. Miyao said that the Emperor was conscious, and that Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko visited the palace twice today.

At a news conference this afternoon, Mr. Miyao said an additional 200 cubic centimeters of blood had been administered, and that the Emperor continued to be fed intravenously. He added that the Emperor's temperature had dropped to near normal levels, and that the monarch was able to speak with visitors ''in a firm voice.'' The Emperor's sickness came after several days of concern that his condition was worsening. On Sunday, the Emperor canceled a scheduled appearance at a sumo wrestling match.

Doctors said on Monday, before the Emperor fell more seriously ill, that they suspected an inflammation of his pancreas had led to an infection. They were treating him with antibiotics.

The Emperor plays no official political role, though he is described in the Constitution, written by the American occupation Government in 1947, as the ''symbol of the state and the unity of the people.''

Opinion polls show that most Japanese are largely indifferent to him. But he is revered by millions. He has sat on the Chrysanthemum Throne since 1926, making him the longest-reigning of Japan's 124 emperors.